Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Senior Drivers Pose Broad Accident Risk (Part A)
More Senior Drivers with Declining Skills on the Road
If you’ve been injured by a senior driver or had a near miss, you may be looking for ways to avoid a future crash. You’ll be in good company. As the United States population ages over next two decades, senior drivers as a group will increase by 70%.
The number of older drivers, coupled with accident specifics that don’t fit a regular pattern, means that it will be more and more difficult to stay out of the way of problem drivers.
While the incidence of fatal traffic accidents involving elders has decreased in recent years, that trend could change. A study by the National Safety Council (NSC) shows that adult children of aging parents avoid discussing their elders’ driving safety. In fact, most find it easier to plan a parent’s funeral than to suggest hanging up his or her car keys. Dying is inevitable, but driving in America is seen as a right.
Automobile technology has also changed dramatically over the past 50 years. Drivers who are seniors now may not have had trouble encouraging their parents to stop driving in the past. They may have been dissuaded by increased road congestion, more powerful vehicles, and stricter licensing and traffic laws.
The current middle-aged generation enjoys so much facilitation in driving, from GPS systems to airbags that it may be difficult to envision being able to power today’s easy-to-drive vehicles. With the emphasis on seniors staying independent longer via assisted living, imposing control on their driving may not seem like a viable option.
Laws Protect Seniors and Everyone on the Road
Fortunately, traffic safety organizations have recognized this growing concern. States already have checks and balances in place to identify problems in older drivers, but they will have to do more.
Currently, state oversight boards have special assessment allowances in place for senior drivers. Some are proactive and likely to prevent car accidents; some rely on crash and injury reports in order to identify and target individuals for reexamination.
Continue to Senior Drivers Pose Broad Accident Risk (Part B) >>
